Australia is ranked among some of the cleanest countries in the world for air quality, according to the Air Quality Index. In fact, Australia’s beautiful climate and clean, green environment encourages a healthy outdoors lifestyle.

Australia has a rich culture of innovation and creativity, and as a result we have produced some of the world’s most trailblazing inventions. From Google maps to bionic ears, Wifi to pacemakers, polymer bank notes to spray-on skin, many technologies relied on by millions of people around the world were discovered or designed by Australians.



Meet the people behind some of our greatest inventions and innovations by exploring the Aussie inventors showcase. Also check out the Innovation in Australia page on the Global Australia website.

Australia recognises that women being entrepreneurs and professionals, leaders and business owners is vital to our economic growth and our ability to compete internationally. We are committed to increasing women’s economic security and leadership, and all levels of government offer a range of initiatives and grants exclusively for women. Visit the Global Australia website to find out more about the initiatives and grants available exclusively for women.

According to the World Economic Forum, Global Gender Gap Report 2022, Australia ranks 3rd in our region for gender equality, and first equal amongst professional and technical workers. Australia was the first country in the modern world to give women the right to vote and stand for election to a national Parliament. The Australian Government is committed to gender equality and is working towards increasing the number of women in visible leadership and decision making positions, because we know when this happens our whole society benefits.

Australian workers are highly skilled, thanks to an excellent education system, quality scientific research institutions, and availability of specialised training services. Almost half of Australia’s workforce has a tertiary qualification, meaning a diploma or higher.

Our highly-skilled workforce helps make us one of the most innovative countries in the world. Our scientific institutions rank in the world’s top 1% in 15 individual fields of research – including space science, physics, computer science and clinical medicine. Australia ranks 25^th in the world for innovation, according to the Global Innovation Index 2022.

Australia has a mobile workforce. During the year ending February 2022, 9.5% of employed Australians changed jobs. Professionals were the most mobile, accounting for 22% of those who changed jobs. The average tenure in a job is 3 years and 4 months, according to 2020 data from the Australian Department of Education and Workplace Relations. Career progression, job flexibility and work-life balance are the main reasons people change jobs.

Many employers offer their employees training and upskilling opportunities.  If you have to do training as part of your job, you must be paid for your time. If you attend training courses, seminars or conferences that are directly related to your occupation and pay for them yourself, you may be able to claim a tax deduction. You can also claim a tax deduction for self-education expenses if the education relates to your employment.

Sydney and Melbourne rank as the third and fourth most liveable cities in the world, and Perth and Adelaide tied in 12^th place, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index 2023.

Australia has the highest uptake of solar globally, with around one third of homes having rooftop solar panels.

As of 31 January 2022, more than 3 million rooftop solar PV systems had been installed across Australia. 

Australia recognises the importance of addressing climate change and has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We have set targets for emission reductions and are exploring various climate change strategies, including renewable energy expansion, energy efficiency programs and climate change adaptation plans.

Visits to public hospital emergency departments are free for Medicare card holders. You may be charged a fee if you go to an emergency department in a private hospital. Hospital emergency departments in Australia will never turn away people with serious or life-threatening illness or injuries and they will never ask you to pay in advance. People living in Australia have basic healthcare rights.